UC & ESA

Having found myself unable to work due to debilitating health conditions i started a claim for UC & contribution based ESA
Having then completed the online form for UC and the telephone form for ESA I have been awarded the ESA from 3rd Dec 2018 and to date have received the sum of £146.20
The Universal Credit is a joint claim for my husband and myself. Covering period between 3rd Dec to 2nd January. After a long wait we have been awarded £498.89 + Carers Allowance for my husband (I am in receipt of PiP) of £156.45. Total monthly payment £655.34
less Carers Allowance £279.93 (We actually received £268.40)
less ESA £316.77 so the
total amount we will receive each month in UC is £58.00
Did you notice the difference between the ESA amount I was paid to the deduction??????
I have been informed by UC that they take a months esa payment from the UC payment regardless of what you have been paid (ie the first 7 days you receive NO payment) and that ‘this is the system’
Is this the system? Can they take off more than you are paid? If so this is absolutely diabolical even the lady of the telephone was apologetic and said that the system was wrong. Adding that I should contact my MP. I have never been in the position to claim unemployment benefits before and have found this system degrading and totally demeaning.
For instance even though I have been signed off of work by a Doctor I have been told I must attend back to work interviews at the job centre. I politely pointed out that had I been in employment my employer could not request my presence in the office as this would be in breach of employment law. The answer I received was ‘no ones ever said that before’
Sorry about the rant but I am flabbergasted at this ‘system’ where the government can take more money from you than they pay you!